Sister chromosomes that transmit copied genome DNA need equal segregation during cell division so　that cells transmit genetic information equally to daughter cells. It is known that unequal segregation of　chromosomes is deeply involved with cancer progression of cells. The spindle helps to ensure equal segregation　of copied sister chromosomes into daughter cells; sister chromosomes are caught by microtubules from the spindle poles,　align on the equator of the spindle, and are then segregated to the poles during cell division.

 This time, a group of Syuhei Chiba from Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University (a graduate on Doctoral course) and Professor Kensaku Mizuno found proteins, such as NDR1, Furry, and MST2, to arrange chromosome alignment on the equator of the spindle, and ensure equal segregation during human cell division. The group shows that depletion of NDR1, Furry, or MST2 in cells causes chromosome misalignment, and that Furry and MST2 have important roles in activating NDR1 as activating factors, and in chromosome alignment on the equator during cell division. These findings can be important to explain theprocess of chromosome misalignment that can be seen in cancer cells, and to clarify the basic mechanism of hromosomes stability over generations.

This research results are in “Current Biology” (a science magazine in　 the U.S.A.) on the Web on March 26, 2009.

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[Contact]

Professor Kensaku Mizuno

Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University

Phone: +81 22-795-6676 FAX：+81 22-795-6678

E-mail:kmizuno*biology.tohoku.ac.jp (Replace * to @)